Spoken Word Poetry #3 by Greg Frankson

This morning we heard a summary of the workshops from yesterday
And as I summed up much of that in my last poem, I don’t have much to say
On the aspects I’ve already discussed, but there are a few areas on which to expound
From what I’ve heard and what we’ve learned as ideas and concepts float around

It’s pretty clear that artists must be entrepreneurs in the new environment
Must press their creations and their productions if they hope to make a cent
Or better yet procure some dollars, so for me if I have any amount of luck
I’ll be able to sell you my CDs, I’ve got some, and they only cost ten bucks

But on things that are more serious, financially we must be concerned
About the ways are artists must live in poverty – it’s clear that they must earn
More than what they’ve been making to date so that they can keep the spark alive
We must push for amelioration of the situation so that our cultural workers can thrive

And on the administrative ledger, we add the skills these people bring
But then subtract from their creativity the works they used to paint or sing
Or write or dance or act – this loss is to absolutely nobody’s gain
All people on the spectrum of our sector must join into the same refrain

That lets everyone do everything that they can to give time to those that organize
To do the things that led them into the offices initially – we must reprioritize
Create the nurturing situation conducive to excellence in artistic expression
The full articulation and demonstration of the strengths within Canada’s possession

And should we pursue enshrining culture in policy and laws both home and away
In one overarching document or in several regulations so we can relay
The importance of the artists and the cultural workers who do so very much to promote
Our Canadian identity and the images that phraseology tends to evoke?

There is a broad range of opinion across the silos embedded within the room
And on this question and many more it’s clear that the debate cannot hope to presume
What the final resolution will be – I leave those tough choices to all of you
Mostly because in my role as rapporteur that’s not something I’ve been tasked to do

But being the artist that I am, the answers to your challenges impact on me
For your decisions may set the parameters for the lives of thousands from sea to sea
In terms of the time we get to worry less about bills and more about our creativity
And spread benefits of taxation policy, employment income and our long-term security

So as to the challenge of finding your issue on the agenda new federal leadership?
With a new Conservative government this is an issue with which we must get a grip
Alain Gourd came to share his views from long experience with ministers of state
And to debunk the common assumption that Tories will lack the ability to articulate

Clear visions on what we need to do policy wise within the cultural domain
Because over the history of this nation the Conservatives have many laurels to claim
Bennett founded the CBC, and Dief brought French into our Common House
And Clark brought John Meisel to the CRTC – certainly not something for us to denounce

The Mulroney government made many changes after implementing a set of initial cuts
In areas of film, broadcasting, music, radio, writing, archives – this fact rebuts
Any knee-jerk inclinations to think that now is not the time we can achieve progress
So long as we frame our interests in a way that appeals to the priorities they want to address

It’s clear that there will be ways for the cultural sector to press their issues with Cabinet
With a solid understanding of short and long term goals that show societal benefits
A government concerned with broadening choice must see its ideology in your pitch
Along with the principles and priorities, repeated with force with evidence to enrich

The strength of your argumentation, and with some discussion of how you’ll account
For all your spending and for your results – this is key to gaining much needed clout
Just remember that minority governments must also look to stay alive
So find good ways to frame arts and culture in ways that let both artists and Tories thrive

So many things that we must try to do – work with leaders and maintain your pure ideals
Be cautious in your approach when trying to empower yourself and cut the needed deals
And should you find the needed balance and press your case with forcefulness
Within a framework we all believe in – it’s possible that we all can meet with good success.